How Did Mighty Atom's Hair Defy Physics?

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    Hair Strength
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SUMMARY

Mighty Atom, a renowned strongman, demonstrated extraordinary strength by holding onto a Fairchild FC-2 aircraft during a stunt in 1928, where the plane's speed increased from 30 to 60 miles per hour. The aircraft was powered by a nine-cylinder Wright Whirlwind J-5 engine, producing 220 horsepower. Despite claims of his hair's strength, skepticism exists regarding the physics of such feats, as individual hairs have finite strength and are anchored in the scalp. Critics argue that the combined strength of hair would not suffice to withstand such forces without risking scalp injury.

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  • Understanding of basic physics principles related to tensile strength
  • Familiarity with the mechanics of aircraft, specifically the Fairchild FC-2
  • Knowledge of human anatomy, particularly hair structure and scalp attachment
  • Awareness of historical strongman feats and their documentation
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  • Research the tensile strength of human hair and its implications in physical feats
  • Explore the mechanics of the Fairchild FC-2 and its engine specifications
  • Investigate historical strongman performances and their scientific evaluations
  • Learn about the physics behind Mythbusters' tensile strength tests
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Physicists, historians of strength sports, aviation enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the intersection of human capability and physical laws.

Munyit
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'It is a fact that this modern Samson's hair was so strong it could not be pulled out. One of the most astounding feats of strength ever seen was headlined by the Buffalo (New York) Evening Times on September 29th, 1928: "Mighty Atom -- Super Strong Man Pits Brawn Against Plane, Wins." At the Buffalo Airport before a large crowd of stunned witnesses, this human dynamo held his ground when the pilot increased the plane speed from 800 rpm for an approximate speed of 30 miles per hour to a speed of 1,600 rpm for a speed of 60 miles per hour. Without a doubt, the Atom was the strongest haired man in the world. "Believe It or Not" by Ripley had featured this superman many times over the years.' But one poster said he stops a plane at 150 miles speed, again with his hair. This is the link : http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bxBObxdgdw0/SNprQUpqsiI/AAAAAAAAAMo/v7ayo_YI4Is/s1600-h/Atom-Lg-Poster2.jpg

Noted the plane is Fairchild FC-2. The Fairchild was powered by nine-cylinder Wright Whirlwind J-5. The J-5 produced 220 horsepower at 2,000 RPMs.

Actually, I'm a bit sceptical about his feat. What is the physics behind this?
 
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Yeah I recalled he also break chains, bending steels and pulling 32 ton truck with his hair.
 
It's bunk, hair is held in the skin and has finite strength. A single hair is quite easy to pull out, but add up 100,000 of them and you're more likely to rip the scalp from the skull than pull his hair out.

Give me a tow strap attached to a 1" plug of his hair, and I'll yank it out no problemo. That, or maybe attach him in the Mythbusters' phone book tensile test rig.